The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-12-22
THURSDAY, DEC. %, 1887.
SIX YEARS OLD.


Another year has closed upon the
GOLD LEAFS career, and with this
issue ends its sixth volun :. Six years
old Not very long time, it is
true, but longer by some years than
any other newspaper enterprise has
ever survived in Henderson. And as
we stop to think of the past events and
the struggles and trials we have come
through, we often wonder if it is really
our own efforts or some streak Of good
luck that has brought us thus far and
attended the paper with such marked
success. However, we are quite con-
tent with the effect, let the cause be
what it may, fattered that our sur
roundings and circumstances have
made it possible for the GOLD LEAF
to live and prosper as it has.
When we established the paper here
six years ago, many doubted its abil-
ity to survive six months-not that
they were unfriepdly to the enterprise
or undervalued the rrsoiute 0ete,mi-
nation of the publisher, but simply
judged it by the past. Henderson was
then q much smaller town than it is
to-day, with less Of enterprise and
public-spirit, and coming here and
building on the ruins Of half a dozen
other newspapers, the ghosts of which
seemed to confront us on every hand,
we are free to confess that we did
have a "hard road to travel" and
while it is different with us now, our
pathway is not yet =" strewn with roses
nor is ours by any means a " howery
bed Of ease" as applied to publishing
weekly newspaper in country town.
Still, the COLD LEAF is 4 fixed insti-
tuition, firmly established and prosper
ing beyond what it has ever done be-
fore.
Six years ago when we came to
Henderson there was but one brick
building in the place and only about
1900 inhabitants. day there are per-
hapS 1000 souls living within the con-
fines of the town proper, while We have
many handsome and imposing brick
churches, business houses and private
residences that would do credit to
any city of $4,000 people. What was
but small and unpretentious town
half dozen years ago. is to-day a
live, progressive, prosperous young
city, the volume of whose business has
increased to really mammoth proper
tons while as 4 tobacco market its
growth and development has been
even more phenomenal; and to-day
Henderson is the leading bright Leaf
market in North Carolina, both in the
number of pounds sold and the prices
obtained for the same.
If the GOLD LEAF has contributed
anything towards bringing about this
happy condition Of affairs and promot-
ing the present prosperity Of its town,
then its efforts have not been in vain.
In season and out of season it has
labored with that end in view and
how we'll its mission has been fulfilled
Is for its friends to say. If, however
without undue boaSttulness, We may
indulge pride in the belief that it
has been in some degree effective, and
that its watChfulness of the interest
and welfare of this community, and the
know ledge it has disseminated of oul
resources and capabilities, has been
fruitful of good results in effec,ing tina,
remarkable stimulus to the activity
and prosperity OF our town and section
it is double source of qualification to
US that the GOLD LEAF is alive and
we'll to-day.
To the many friends who have
stood by the paper in the past, our
thanks are due FOR words Of cheer and